HomeMy WebLinkAbout1940-04-02 11?
SELECTMEN'S MEETING
APRIL 2, 1940.
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held
in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, at 7:30 P.M.
Chairman Giroux, Messrs. Potter, Locke, Rowse and Sarano
were present. The Clerk was also present.
At 7:30 P.M. Mr. Joseph A. Roes, Supt. of the Water
and Sewer Dept. , appeared before the Board. The Chairman
read a letter from Mr. Harold Conant of 47 Lincoln Street Pool at
requesting that a fence be placed around the cement pool old water
at the old water works on Lincoln Street. Mr. Conant thought works.
this should be done in order to prevent children from falling
into the pool. Mr. Ross said that requests had been made
previously by the Park Dept. for a permanent fence to en-
close this well, but the necessary funds had not been granted,
He said that he had discussed the matter with Mr. Garrity
and they felt that a temporary protection might be afforded
if snow fence was placed around the well.
It was decided to borrow enough snow fence from the
Highway Dept. to do this and to consider the matter of a
permanent fence prior to a fall Town Meeting.
The Clerk informed the Board that there were about
135 applications for the position of Supt. of Public Works . Supt. of
The applications were divided among the members and the Public
Chairman requested them to go over them and be prepared to Works.
discuss the matter at the meeting on April 9th.
At 7:40 P.M. the following members of the Board of
Library Trustees appeared before the Board: Mrs. Putney,
Mr. Chapman, Mr. Handley, Mr. Brayton, Mr. Putsch, Mr. Ames,
Mr. Houghton, Mr. Ralph Wagon, Librarian, was also present.
The Chairman said that the purpose in calling the
meeting was to discuss the matter of the Clarke Street land
so that there would be some understanding on the matter before
the article came up on April 8th at the Town Meeting. He
said the actual question was the use of money from the Veterans'
Memorial Fund. Some time ago, the Library Trustees voted in
favor of the purchase of the land and later the suggestion
was made that the money be taken from the Veterans' Memorial
Fund.
Mr. Chapman said there was no formal vote on the latter,
but those who talked it over had no objection to it.
The Chairman said that next question was how any
additional wing to be built should be named. He said if the
funds were going to be used, undoubtedly there would have to
be something in the vote putting a mal obligation on the
Town that a new wing should be known as "the Veterans'
Memorial Wing". He read the vote passed_in 1925 with, rela-
tion to the use of the Veterans' Memorial Fund.
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Mr. Houghton said that if later on money from another
source should be used to build a wing, it would be rather
but of order to name the wing as a memorial to the veterans
and leave out entirely the name of the donor of the wing.
He asked if there could be a resolution to the effect that
a suitable memorial to the veterans could be placed on the
lot.
Mr. Chapman said that there was an appropriation of
800. that could be used also and Mr. Giroux said that that
800. was for the expenses of the Permanent Memorial Committee.
Mr. Rowse said he could not conceive of the Legion
approving that money being spent for the purchase of the land
upon which a wing would be built for the benefit of the Li
Library when it has no assurance that there will be a room
for the members or that the members will have any part of it.
Mr. Houghton asked how much it would cost to place a
tablet there on a atone as a memorial. It was felt it would
cost at least $100. Mr. Houghton said that their thought
was that if someone was willing to give a much larger sum of
money, that the town should not be tied down to naming the
wing for the veterans. He thought it would be better to
provide some sort of a memorial right now as a part of the
land project.
Mr. Chapman suggested that additional funds be requested
for the purchase of a suitable memorial at this Town Meeting.
Mrs. Putney said that the veterans might approve of a
tablet on a stone until the wing was built, but she did not
see how they would be-satisfied with that alone after a
wing was built.
Mr. Rowse suggested that the appropriation be increased
to $1600. of which $100. could be used for a memorial. Mr.
Houghton thought that the veterans should be given assurance
that a memorial would be there perpetually, either inside oP
outside the building.
Upon motion of Mr. Houghton, seconded by Mr. Handley,
the following vote was passed: Voted: That the Board of
Library trustees approves that purchase of the lot of land
on Clarke Street adjoining the Cary Memorial Library, the
money to be provided by transfer from the Veterans' Memorial
Fund, and also approves the erection on the land of a suit-
able permanent memorial to be erected immediately by the
Library Trustees in consultation with the Veterans, the cost
of said memorial not to exceed $100.00.
The Chairman said he would prefer that one of the other
Trustees present the motion and argument in this matter, and
Mr. Houghton said he would plan to present the motion but had
not planned to argue it.
Mr. Rowse said that some people were asking why the
Library did not expand on its own land along Masa. Avenue
rather than along Clarke Street. Mr. Chapman said that the
chief reason was as follows : The Library Trustees consulted
with Willard Brown, who has the original plan, and asked him
to make a suggestion as to how the building should be
enlarged and he said that there should be a long low wing
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making as nearly as possible a symmetrical building.
The Library Trustees left at 8:45 P.M.
Mr. Sarano moved that the Selectmen approve of a new
resolution in place of the one in the votes now and that an
additional amount of $100. be requested to cover the expense
of the permanent memorial. Mr. Potter seconded the motion
and it was so voted.
Mr. Raymond and Anthony Cataldo appeared before the
Board at 8:50 P.M. The Chairman said that Cataldo had come
in to talk about the matter of shade on the street light in Shade on
front of his house at the corner of Rawson and Rindge Street
Avenues. He read a petition sighed by four residents in Ito light-
vicinity that the shade be removed. Cataldo asked how many Rawson
of the neighbors complained, and the Chairman replied that Ave.
four had, all in the same family.
The Chairman read a letter from Dr. Theodore Kaplin
regarding Cataldo's condition. Mr. Raymond asked Cataldo if
he minded if the light shone in on the first floor, and he
replied that he did not as he slept on the second floor.
Mr. Raymond said that he would talk with Mr. Stevens of the
Boston Edison Co. to see if a deep dome reflector could be
put on w ich would shade the second floor and give the
street suffigient light. Cataldo said this would be agreeable
to him, and he retired at 8:55 P. M.
At 8:56 P.M. Mr. T. A. Custance appeared before the
Board. He said that he came in to discuss the place of
property on Grant Street owned by the A. G. Davis Ice Co.
Some time ago, the Town denied the owner the right to change
the land to an M.1 district. It has been a sore spot since Request
and Mr. Custance has suggested several times that the owner for
do something to it to improve it . Recently the owner told bowling
Mr. Custance that he was thinking of constructing a building alleys-
for bowling alleys there . Mr. Custance asked if the Select- Grant St.
men would grant a license to maintain bowling alleys in a
building to be erected on the land. He said there was a very
high assessment on the land and if this is not granted, the
owner is going to ask for a substantial abatement of taxes.
The Chairman said that the matter would have to be
approved by the Board of Appeals first before the Selectmen
could act on it .
Mr. Custance retired at 9:00 P. M.
The Chairman said that the Town had eight or ten claims
against it in connection with the Vine Brook and North
Lexington Sewer projects . Mr. Raymond said that there were
seven cases on the North Lexington Sewer project and four
cases on the Vine Brook Drainage project. Prior to Mr. P.W.A.
Raymond's leaving here, he was working on some of these claims
claims in an effort to get them settled. Mr. Raymond had
gone about as far as he thought he could in getting them
settled. He said that we had correspondedue in the Leary
and Colonial Garage claims, but both of them came to an end
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where we could not accomplish anything more, apparently.
The Chairman said that the Board must decide whether it
would instruct Mr. Wrightington to take such action as will
bring up these actions in Court to be cleaned up. The
Federal government is after Mr. Wrightington to get him to
submit and estimate of his expenses in relation to these suits
and he cannot do this as he does not know that his expenses
will be. There are four cases involving lowering of the
water table and those will have to be tried anyway. Mr.
Raymond said he would not recommend pushing all those cases
as the coming season may show that there is no basis for the
suits.
The Chairman asked Mr. Raymond if he believed we should
try to settle the cases right away, and he replied in the
affirmative and said that that included the Stevens suit.
Stevens The Chairman asked if he would recommend having a conference
in the Stevens case and he said that he would. He said
there was no object. in waiting to settle the Ham, Wheeler,Stevens
and Ice Co. suits.
Mr. Locke moved that Mr. Wrightington be instructed
to consult with Mr. Raymond and to take such steps as he
deems advisable to have these cases advanced for trial with
the exclusion of those cases involving a lowering of the water
table and temporarily, the Stevens case pending a conference
to be held with Mr . Stevens. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion
and it was so voted.
The Chairman said that he told Rupert Stevens that
as soon as the Town Meeting was over, that at his convenience
the Board would make an appointment for him, his lawyer and
the Town Counsel to discuss his claim against the Town. Mr.
Wrightington said that as far as he knew, there was nothing
Stevens further that he was to do unless a conference had been Meld.
case. Mr. Rai'mond said that perhaps it would not be necessary to
take up the Board' s time at the first meeting. He suggested
that the conference be had with Mr. Stevens, his attorney,
Mr. Wrightington and himself. The Clerk was instructed to
tell Mr. Wrightington of Mr. Raymond' s suggestion and also to
notify Mr. Stevens so that a preliminary conference might be
arranged.
Letter was received from Roger W. Brown atatingttt
he felt the Town ahould accept the responsibility of correcting
a flood condition in front of his house at 36 Outlook Drive
because of the fact that water was running from Prospect Hill
Drainage Road, an accepted street, onto Outlook Drive, an unaccepted
Outlook street. He also read a letter from Mr Brown to Mr. Wright-
Drive. ington telling him of the condition and asking if the Town
intended to take any steps to remedy the condition.
Letter was received from Mr. Paxton who made an investi-
gation of the drainage system at the intersection of Downing-
Road
owningRoad and Outlook Drive. They found an existing pipe, varying
from four inches to six inched in diameter, which was totally
filled with material. They also found that practically every
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length of pipe was either cracked or broken. The labor costs
on this work was $33.10. Mr. Paxton felt that the only method
of remedying the condition was the construction of a new
drainage system. The Chairman asked Mr. Raymond his opinion
on the matter. He said he felt there was no legal liability
on the Town as there is no artificial channel for the water
from Prospect Hill Road. He said that perhaps the Board of
Health could determin that there was a health menace and
could order a drain put in and assess the cost on the person
whom it was going to benefit.
The Chairman asked Mr. Raymond if he would talk with
Mr. Wrightington and ask him to answer Brown's letter, and
he said that he would.
Letter was received from Mr. S. K. Hardy requesting
consideration of the drainage on his property at Hill Street. Drainage
He said that when the grade of Hill Street was altered to its Hill St.
present level, the change caused a stoppage of the natural
drainage . He thought that a lowering of the catch baainrtwo
feet with corresponding lowering of its outlet, would take
care of the situation.
The Chairman read a report on the subject from Mr.
Paxton. He said that an investigation indicated that the
Town was not responsible for the condition of Hardy's land.
He talked to a resident of the location for thirty years Who
said therehad been no radical change of the street grade.
This person also said that there had been water lying on this
land every spring but during the summer it disappeared. Mr.
Sarano thought that if Hardy cleaned the ditch on his own
land, he would get satisfactory drainage.
Mr. Rowse moved that Mr. Hardy be notified that there
was no responsibility on the part of the Town for the drainage
condition of his land. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it
was so voted.
At 9:30 P.M. Messrs. Beach and Cosgrove appeared before
the Board.
The Chairman informed the group that letters had been
received from Stephen F. Hamblin, owner of 93 Hancock Street,
Jessie C. Corso of 75 Hancock Street, Rose J. Kelley of
81 Hancock Street, Leslie A. Bull of 83 Hancock Street,
Gordon W. Robinson of 80 Hancock Street. and Charles E. Nichols,
Jr. of 94 Hancock Street, all objecting to the construction
of the sewer in Hancock Street.
The Chairman said that before the vote on the sewers W.P.A.
at the last Town Meeting, he made the statement that the Sewers.
Town would not go into any streets udless it had at least
50% of the signatures or went in as a Board of Health measure.
The reason for doing this was that the Appropriation Committee
was prepared to submit a resolution to the Town Meeting on
the matter. It was agreed, however, not to present the
resolution if the preceding statement was made by the Selectmen.
Mr. Cosgrove said that Mrs. Barnes, who had the assess-
ment schedules on the Liberty Heights Sewer to take care of,
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had already received several signatures on the previous
assessment sheets (which were not right) . Two weeks later
when the new sheets were made up, she decided that she would
explain that the assessments should be approximately one-half
of the amount shown on the new sheet but would not ask for
new signatures. We have signatures of 42% of the assesable
area, which includes the Nichols tract. Cosgrove said he
had talked with Mr. Nichols about deferring that assessment.
He said that there was no doubt in his mind that if the
people in this area keep their word, we will have about 60%
of the signatures. He said that if everyone was contacted,
he would not be surprised if it would go beyond that.
The Chairman said he did not believe that we should
make a move until everybody had been contacted. He thought
it would be better to wait another week and make certain of
this. Mr. Cosgrove said that this was a bad season of the
year to contact the owners as of January 1st, 1940, as we
do not know what property hall been transferred until the
transfer cards come back from the Registry. The Chairman
asked if he thought we should go ahead before every known
owner had been contacted and he replied In the affirmative.
The Chairman asked how the Town could justify itself. Mr.
Cosgrove said he thought it would be justified in that we
can only go by the Assessor' s books to be legally covered
and that is what has been done. The Chairman asked if he
could make the statement that every known owner of property
had been contacted, and Cosgrove said that he could do that
in all cases excepting where some notices had been mailed to
out-of-town owners.
The Chairman asked Mr. Raymond if he thought the
Selectmen should authorize going ahead on the project. Mr.
Raymond said that as he understood it Mr. Cosgrove had a very
high percentage of signatures on Oak Street. Cosgrove said
he had almost 100%. Mr. Raymond said that Oak Street was
going to be the slowest part of the job and was the opening
wedge for sewers in Liberty Heights and therefor would have
to be done first. He said that when Oak Street is being done
and the Sewer Dept. has started making connections, he thought
that other people in the neighborhood would begin to int
extensions. The Board felt that the Oak Street job should
be started as soon as possible.
The Chairman said that Mr. Beach told him that if we
go ahead with the Oak Street project, it will be necessary
to have a recident engineer as there will be about 51 men
on the job. The playground project will be closed down
April let and 31 men will come from that job and 20 men from
the tree trimming project. The Chairman asked if Mr. Beach
could use the whole 50 men and he said that he could. Mr.
Raymond asked how he was going to handle ledge excavation and
he said he had in mind having it done by contract.
Rrefeate Mr. Locke moved that the Winter Sports project be
losed closed down not later that April 20, 1940. Mr. Sarano
down. seconded that motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Locke moved that the Tree Trimming project be
EN;
closed down not later than April 27. Mr. Sarano seconded the
motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Locke moved that the Selectmen order the opening
of the Liberty Heights sewer project, but limit it for the
present to Oak Street. Mr. Sarano Seconded the motion and
it was so voted.
Mr. Sarano said that there was a two inch water main
in Oak Street and he wanted to know if the Town was going Water main
to make any prevision for the laying of a new main when the Oak St.
sewer was being built. He said that water mains should go
in the same trench with the sewer main. Mr. Ray. ond said
that the Water Dept. had requested an appropriation of
3200. to provide for the installation of a ten inch water
main in Oak Street to go in the same trench with the sewer.
The two inch main takes care of only one house and that house
has a lot of trouble in the cold weather.
The cost now will be only one half of what it will be
later on when a new trench will have to be dug. No action
was taken on the matter.
Mr. Locke moved that Mr. Beach secure prices on six
inch, eight inch and ten inch V. C . pipe and such other materials
as he may need. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it was so W.P.A.
voted. materials
The matter of the resident engineer was discussed, and
Mr. Beach said that he had received an application from Allen W.P.A.
H. Kennedy and from Frank Friend. Mr. Potter moved that Mr. resident
Friend be appointed resident engineer at a salary not to engineer
exceed *160. per month. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and
it was so voted.
The Clerk was requested to give Mr. Cosgrove copies of W.P.A.
the letters received in opposition to the Hancock Street sewer
sewer.
Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Beach be authorized to purchase
1375 feet of 12 inch and 354 feet of 15 inch pipe for the Pipe
North Hancock Street drain project. Mr. Sarano seconded the
motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Beach said that he had a request from W.P.A. head-
quarters to be furnished a town newspaper each week and he W.P.A.
asked permission to furnish them with a copy of the Minute-
Man each week. The Board had no objection to this.
Mr. Beach asked if the Board wanted to talk about
opening up another lunch project, this one at the Munroe
School. We are feeding the children now at the rate of W.P.A.
four cents per person per day. We can"take three people lunchroom
oft the Sewing Unit and put them on the Lunch project and project
can feed thirty children per month for the amount of money
they will be saved. The Chairman asked if Mr. Beach thought
there would be enough money in the appropriation to take care
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of the two schools, and he replied in the affirmative. Mr.
Beach suggested that the cooking be done at the Adams School
and the food carried up to the Munroe School It was decided
to hold the matter over until the next meeting.
Messrs. Beach, Cosgrove and Raymond retired at 1012bP.M.
Letter was received from the Planning Board requesting
permission to have a glass covered bulletin board, 31 x 41
Bulletin placed either on the first or second floor of the Town Office
Board- Building. The Planning Board wishes to display various maps
Planning of planning sketches which it thinks would be of interest
Bd. to the citizens.
The Clerk was instructed to give Mr. Cosgrove a• copy
of the letter and to bring the matter up at the next meeting.
Welfare Ur. Morse appeared at 10:30 P.M. to discuss Welfare
matters and retired at lltlb P.M.
Letter was received from Clarence S. Walker calling
the Board' s attention to the report of the Lexington Board
of Retirement appearing in the Town Report. Mr. Walker
Walker - asked that the Board compare the report of the Retirement
re Retire- Board as published with that as rendered to the Board over
ment his signature and remarked that there was a noticeable die.-
Board
ie•Board similarity. He assumed that the Board made the deletions
Report in question and considered it within their rights to do so
without even mentioning the matter to him. He said that if
his assumption was correct and the Selectmen still felt that
this was one of their perogatives, they might consider his
letter his resignation as a member of the Retirement Board
to take effect at once. Mr. Walker said he considered the
matter of too great importance to permit the use of his
name on a published report that differed from the one bearing
his signature.
It was decided to hold the matter over for one week.
Letter was received from William C . Paxton advising
Rental of that Paul Whipple of 15 Belfry Terrace wished to rent the
grader. grader to scrape Belfry Terrace. Mr. Sarano moved that Mr.
Whipple's request be granted subject to the usual charge.
Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Letter was received from Mr. Paxton to which was
Bids on attached a summary of bids received on painting materials.
Paint. Mr. Paxton suggested dividing the order among sews companies
so that he might have an opportunity to check the quality of
each paint and satisfy the local bidders. The Board felt
that the companies that kid did so on the total amount to be
purchased and not on the basis of a small amount to be pur-
chased from each concern. It was felt that such experimental
work should be done in an experimental way. Mr. Rowse moved
that the bids be sent back and that Mr. Paxton be asked where
he wished to purchase his entire needs, but the motion was
not seconded.
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It was decided to let him go ahead and do it in the
II manner recommended this time but to request him to do it
differently in the future.
Mr. Sarano asked if the Board wanted to authorize Mr.
Garrity to plant trees at the Public Works Building to hide Trees at
the unpleasant view of the dump, piled up snow fence, etc. P.W.
They can get the trees free of charge and can have the Bldg.
Welfare men do the work. The Board had no objection to this.
Mr. Sarano moved that the following salary increased be
affective April 1st conditioned upon final approval by the
Town Meetings Salaries
Eleanor M. Lowe from $32.00 per week to $34.00 per week
Elinor E. Hubley " 13.00 " " " 15.00 " n
Mary E. Corcoran n 19.00 " " " 20.00 " n
John C . Lichtenberg " 20.00 " " " 22.00 " "
Cidaliza Sousa " 15.00 " " " 14.00 " "
James E. Collins " 22.50 " " " 25.00 " se
Thomas F. Fardy, Jr. " 18.00 " " " 19.00 n n
Muriel C. Edkins " 15.00 " " " 16.00 " n
Doris M. Ohlson " 5. 0 " " " 16.00 " P
Rita J. McNamara ft 12.00 " " " 13.00 " n
Isabelle M. Harvey " 18.00 " " " 20.00 " n
Ruth C. Hayes " 14.00 " " " 15,00 " r
IIClayton F. Beach
Joseph A. Ross " 30.00 " " " 35.00 " a'
" $2300.00 per annum to $2500.00 per
annum.
Mr. Locke seconded the roMmt. and it was so voted.
Mr. Sarano moved that all Clayton Beach's salary be
charged to Public Works, Labor, Material and Expenses account.
Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Rowse moved that the salary of the Sealer of Weights
and Measures be effective as of April 1st the same as other
salaries. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Rowse moved that the salary of Mr. William C . Paxton
be established at $3120.00 per year beginning January 1st,
1940. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Letter was received from Marion B. Holt who operates a
store at 854 Mass. Avenue, requesting permission to sell toy Request
airplanes on Sundays. Mr. Potter moved that the request be for
denied inasmuch as the Selectmen have no authority to grant Sunday
such a permit. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so permit
voted. denied.
Request was received from the Sacred Heart Parish for
permission to hold a carnival on the Viano lot on Mass. Ave. Request
opposite Sylvia Street the Week of June 10th. The Clerk for
was instructed to talk to Father Mackey, the curate, to find carnival
II out if the agreement between the various organizations which permit.
was made last year to the effect that they would take alternate
turns in holding a carnival at East Lexington, did not carry
over until this year. _
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The matter was head over for one week.
Letter was received from the Chamber of Commerce
advising that that body has "Welcome to Lexington" signs
designed to be erected in the- near future. The Chamber of
Commerce felt that the minimum speed limit signs were very.
"Welcome" objectionable because they were unsightly and because the
signs. limiting of speed to thirty miles per hour seemed unnecessary
and impracticable . They felt that the signs would be regarded
by the motorists with amusement and contempt. The Chairman
reminded the Board that the Police Dept. said that it could
not enforce the speed limits unless the town was posted.
The Clerk was instructed to advise the Chamber of
Commerce of this.
Letter was received from the Plumbing Inspector advising
that he had made up a proposed by-law with reference to the
installation and inspection of gas pipes. He suggested
that the matter be taken before the Town Meeting so that
it might be worked in unison with the revision of the Building
and Plumbing By-laws.
The Board felt that it was not necessary to bring the
matter up at the Town Meeting, but did feel that the Plumbing
Inspector should bring the matter to the attention of the
new Building By-law committee after it has been appointed.
A petition signed by 11 residents of Grant Street
Grant St. requesting that the Town take steps to restsbre the street
to the safe condition it was previous to the heavy travel
to which it was subjected during the construction of the
Vine Brook and North Lexington sewer projects, was received.
A letter was received from Mr. Paxton stating that in
his opinion the street was in no worse condition now than it
has been in any previous spring.
The Chairman said he was waiting for a reply from Mr.
Raymond as to whether or not the contractors could be made
to restore the street. The matter wa held over for one
week.
Mr. Paxton said that in 1939 the residents of Grant
Abatement Street rented the grader to scrape the street and the cost
Grant St. was $5.25 for labor and $20.31 for rental of the machine,
making a total of $25.56. The residents collectednbn y
$22.00 and the balance is outstanding. Mr. John MoKearney
requested that the balance be abated.
Mr. Potter moved that the Selectmen authorize the
abatement of thebalance. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and
it was so voted.
Letter was received from Mr. Frank W. Dodge of 229
Bedford Street requesting permission to keep fifteen goats
in the rear of his property rather than three. The Chair-
man informed thetBoard that the Health Inspector had
interviewed the people living in all the houses on Hillside
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Terrace and all objected strenuously to the increasing of Request
the permit from three to fifteen. Mr. Potter moved that the for
request be denied. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it permit to
was so voted. keep goats.
Notice was received from Edwin B. Worthen of the
expiration of fire insurance policy in the amount of $15,600.
on April 15th. Mr. Potter moved that the policy be renewed Insurance
through the same office for a period of five years. Mr.
Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Notice was received from George W. Taylor & Son of
the expiration of fire insurance policy in the amount of
$35,000. on April 15th. Mr. Potter moved that the policy
be renewed through the same office for a period of five
years. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted.
The Chairman stated that there was a $10,000. policy
expiring April 16th through the office of George H. Gibson.
Mr. Rowse moved that this policy be renewed through the office
of W. S. Caouette for a period of five years . Mr. Sarano
seconded the motion and it was so voted.
The Chairman said that there was a $20,000. policy
expiring on April 15th through the office of Robert S.
Sturtevant. Mr. Rowse moved that the policy be renewed
for a period of five years through the office of Elizabeth
B. Holton. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it was so
voted.
The Clerk stated that the sum of $58. would have to be
added to Mr. Adams' figure of $654.00 for printing the Town Town
Report to cover the reprints of the School and Accounting Report.
Reports. Mr. Rowse moved that the appropriation be increased
to $712.00. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it was so
voted.
The Board signed certificate of character of Dorothea
S. Dodge, 14 Percy Road and Eleanor B. Litchfield, 53 Dexter Cert. of
Road, who have filed application with the Secretary of character
State for the incorporation of Camp Allbridge, Incorporated.
Security bond in the sum of $1,000. issued on behalf
of Eleanor M. Lowe as Clerk in the office of the Selectmen Bonds.
was approved.
Mr. Sarano moved that the Selectmen vote to have the
bond carried on Mr. Fred Longbottom as Building Inspector,,
cancelled. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so
voted.
Upon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded by Mr. Rowse, it
was voted to make the following declarations Deolarae
The Board of Selectmen of the Town of Lexington, a
municipal corporation in Middlesex County, under the authority
of General Laws, Chapter 40, section 15, and pursuant to a
vote of the Town Meeting of Lexington en March 25, 1940, duly
called and held, which vote was unanimously adopted, a copy
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tt
Cl
of which vote is hereto annexed, hereby declare the easements-
or
asementoor rights in the said vote set forth to be abandoned, for the
mnount and upon the terms-therein set forth. See Registered
Land Certificate No. 34330, Book 229, P. 505.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF this instrument has been signed by
a majority of the Board- of Selectmen of the Town of Lexington
this 2nd day of April, 1940.
Archibald R. Giroux
William G. Potter
Errol H. Locke
A. Edward Rowse
George W. Sarano
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex, ss.
On this 2nd day of April, 1940, personally appeared
Archibald R. Giroux, Errol H. Locke, A. Edward Rowse, William
G. Potter and George W. Sarano, and severally acknowledged
the foregoing instrument to be then free act and deed as
Selectmen as aforesaid, before me,
James J. Carroll
Notary Public.
Mar. 14, 1945
I, James J. Carroll, Town Clerk of the Town of Lexington,
hereby eertify that at a Town Meeting of the Town of Lexington
duly called and held on March 25, 1940, pursuant to the follow-
ing article in the Warrant for the said meeting:
"Article 3. To see if the Town will vote to abandon
certain rights and easements taken by eminent domain
by the Town in an order of taking of a temporary
leasehold interest in certain lands in connection
with the Vine Brook Drain and Sewer Project."
the following vote was duly and unanimously adopted:
"Article 3. Whereas the Town by an order of taking
dated September 27, 1938, and recorded in Middlesex
South District Registry of Deeds, Book 6248, page 2,
took by eminent domain a temporary leasehold interest
for a term of two years in certain locations described
in the said order of taking, more particularly described
therein; and
129
"Whereas the Superintendent of Public Works having charge
of the said easement has notified the Selectmen that
in his opinion the said temporary leasehold interest
in the parcel numbered (1) of the said locations
described in the said order of taking is no longer
required for public purposed;
"Votedt That the Town authorize the abandonment of
such easement or right and specify that no minimum
amount be paid for such abandonment other than a
proportionate cancellation by the owners of the land
within the said location of any claim for damages for
the use of the said land during the remainder of the
two-year term for which the said leasehold interest
was originally taken."
A true copy:
Attest=
James J. Carroll
Town Clerk.
Letter was received from the Board of Registrars
advising that registrations would be held on March 26th,
April 2nd and April 10th. Registra-
tions
Letter was received from the Planning Board askingthat there be an inspection of the display map in the Cary
Memorial Building to be sure that the suspension was per- Map.
featly safe. It was decided to refer the matter to the
Town Bngineer for report.
The Planning Board requested permission to use the Planning Bd,
Highway Dept. office for its meetings and to have a hanging meeting
sign outside the door to identify it. room.
The Clerk was instructed to ask Mr. Paxton if he had
any objection to the Planning Board using his office.
Request was received from the Boy Scouts for permission
to maintain a stand at the corner of Mass. Ave. and Merriam April 19th
Street on April 19th. Mr. Potter moved that the Selectmen permits
inform the Boy Scouts that they would have no objection to
this. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted.
The Chairman stated that the Boy Scouts wanted to
put up an information booth 4 feet by four feet on Mass.
Avenue opposite Pleasant Street on April 19th. They have
the approval of the property owner. The Selectmen have no
objection to the erection of such a booth.
Letter was received from four property owners on Joseph Rd.
Joseph Road and Spencer Street requesting the Town to make & Spencer St.
a survey in order to obtain the cost of eenatruction. It
was decided to request the Engineering Dept. to give the
people the information when possible to do so.
130 r
trir
Letter was received from the April 19th committee
April 19th inviting the Selectmen to review the parade at the Common
invitations on Patriot's Day. The parade will leave East Lexington at
1,43 P.M. _Mr. Potter moved that the usual invitations to
review the parade be sent out. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion
and it was so voted.
A bond in the penal sum of $1,000. issued on behalf
Bond of John C . Russell as Constable was received. Mr. Rowse
moved that the bond be approved. Mr. Potter seconded the
motion and it was so voted.
Letter was received from Mr. Garrity containing prices
on arsenate of lead and fertilizer. Mr. Rowse moved that
Mr. Garrity be authorized to make the purchase from the low
bidder. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Potter moved that the following licenses be granted,
Licenses . Kenneth H. Tefft,118 Cedar St. Peddler' s License
Harry M. Hodeden, 870 Mass. Ave. " "
Frederick W. Shaw, 15 Hamblen St. 2 Swine
Frederick B. Hubley, 1 Winthrop Road Auctioneer's
Arthur H. MeLearn, 1387 Mass. Ave. "
Marie A. Miller, Marrett Road Sunday Sales
James Phillips, 1802 Mass . Ave. " "
John J. Kenealy, 856 Mass. Ave. " "
Durand's, 1780 Mass. Ave. " "
David Buttrick Co., 384 Bedford St. " " 111
Patrick Shanahan, 52 Pleasant Street Past. of Milk
Edith VanAmring, 1711 Mass . Ave. Overhanging Sign
Eugene H. Partridge, 1790 Mass. Ave. " "
Mike & Christy Hallos, 1715 Mass. Ave. " s
Durand's, 1780 Mass. Ave. " "
Eugene Derby, 11 Waltham St. n "
Chin Lee, 1784 Mass. Ave. so "
n s
Boston Edison Co., 1727 Mass. Ave.
Gabriel Baker, 1741 Mass. Ave. n "
Calvin W. Childs, 409 Mass. Ave. " "
Ross Stores, 1789 Mass. Ave., 3 Depot Sq. " "
Liggett Drug Co. , Inc. , 1721 Mass . Ave. " "
W. S. Couette, 1765 Mass . Ave. it 1'
F. K. Johnson, 3941 Bedford St. h
Theatre Pharmacy, Inc. , 1792 Mass . Ave. " n
William Viano, 1794 Mass. Ave. n n
Ernest C . Martin, 1793 Mass. Ave.
M 11
Colonial Garage, Inc., 1669 Mass. Ave. " r1
Edgar J. Thivierge, 1752 Mass. Ave. n n
Louis J. Reynolds, 1736 Mass. Ave.
Harriet L. Child, 1775 Mass. Ave. ti 11
Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it was so voted,
Ill
Letter was received from the Town Counsel advising that
Appleton the case of Appleton vs. Lexington had been decided in favor
case. of the Town.
131
Mr. Potter moved that the following uses of halls be
allowed:
American Legion - Cary Hall - April 26th;
Lafayette Club - Cary- Hall - May 20th - subject to a fee of Use of Ha]11
$15;
Briggs Class - Cary- Hall, April 14th - free of charge;
The Red Cross - Conference Room, April 10th - free of charge.
Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted.
The Town •Counsel's bill in the sum of $1104.20 for
his services and expenses in connection with the Cataldo Cataldo
case was received. It was decided to hold the matter over case.
for one week.
Mr. Locke moved that the following be appointed to the
Old Age Assistance Bureau: Mr. William G. Potter, Mr. A. Appoint-
Edward Rowse and Mr. Luther R. Putney. Mr. Sarano seconded ment.
the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Potter moved that Mrs. Irving Yelland be appointed
as the new member of the Dental Clinic Committee and that Mrs.
Frank Hudson and Mr. Thomas S. Grindle be reappointed. Mr.
Sarano seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Potter moved that Mr. John Milton Brown of Plymouth
Road be appointed an Associate Member of the Board of Appeals.
Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Potter moved that the following Public Weighers be
appointed:
Public Weigher - William E. Mulliken
Albert Bieren
Harold I. Wellington
John P. Coombs
Jacob Bierenbroodspot
Measurer of Grain - Albert Bieren
Measurer of Wood Harold I. Wellington
Measurer of Wood, Bark
and Manure - Jacob Bierenbroodspot
Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Stetter was received from the Red Cross requesting per-
mission to use the three upstairs rooms in the ell of the Red Crosf
Barnes house. The Chairman stated that the Building Inspector use of
and the State Fire Marshal both approved this use. Mr. rooms-
Potter moved that the Red Cross be allowed to use these Barnes
rooms with the understanding that the town will not furnish house.
janitor service in the evening. Mr. Locke seconded the motion
and it was so voted.
Letter was received from Mr. L. W. Slocomb of 91 Gleason
Road asking that the portion of Lots 36 and 37, Block 22, Sale of
Lexington Manor, which is registered land be transferred to lots.
him at once. Mr. Sloeomb requested that the unregistered
portion be transferred to his name as soon as possible. He
132
T
said he had no intention of building on the property or of
reselling the same but wished to protect the property which
he now owns.
Mr. Rowse moved that Mr. Wrightington be asked to pre-
pare a deed for the registed portion of the land, which
represents 88% of the total and that the cost of this be
set at $264.00, leaving a balance of $36.00 to be paid for
the remaining 12% which is unregistered. Mr. Sarano seconded
the motion and it was so voted.
Letter was received from E. W. Larson and Sons of
Old Adams Arlington offering to take down the Old Adams School for the
School material in it and to pay the Town $5.00. The letter was
placed on file.
Letter was received from Mr. Paxton advising that the
Rental of Dyar Sales & Machinery Co. had an Austin-Western pick-up
sweeper. sweeper which they were renting to various communities at
the rate of $35.00 per day, including the operator and fuel.
He requested that he be authorized to rent the sweeper for
from three to six days during the week beginning April 8th.
Mr. Locke moved that Mr. Paxton be given this authority. Mr.
Potter seconded thetmotion and it was so voted.
The following commitments were signed:
Water Rates- - $6043.40
Water Liens - 196.22
Water Miscellaneous charges - 93.78
Mr. Potter moved that Dr. Chester L. Blakely be appointed
Inspector of Animals for the year ending March 31st, l04M,
Appoint- that Mr. John J. Garrity be appointed Moth Supt for the
ments same period and that Mr. George Whiting be appointed Slaughter
Inspector for the same period. Mr. Sarano seconded the
motion and it was so voted.
The meeting adjourned at 1:07 ASM.
A true record, Attest:
;W:a
Clerk.
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